How to Drive Boat in 2-3 foot waves? (10mph wind)

Are we supposed to cut the waves at 90 degrees or at 45 degrees or run parallel to the waves? I find that if I try to hit them head on (90 deg), I cannot go faster than 10mph as the pounding gets too much. It is a little better if I cut them at 45 degrees. The best ride is running parallel to the waves. Is that correct? Can someone give me some tips on how to drive the boat in rough weather? I also find that if I do not plane the boat, the boat bow remains very high although I have trimmed the motor all the way down. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Hit them straight on. Once you get on plane, trim up and let her rip. If your pounding waves you don’t have enough speed and the bow is too low.

Your bow will be high until you plane out. If your ever in the mille lacs area, stop by and see Jon Jordan. He’ll show you how to drive a boat in waves.

Yep, get on top and let ‘er rip. Kind of nerve racking at first but the faster you go the smoother it gets. Make sure you have all of your $#$%$ fastened down or you will be worried about it flying out of the boat.

Including you…Use your tether!

I would also highly recomend Smooth Moves

http://www.smoothmovesseatmounts.com

Thanks for the advice. I would really like to learn how to do it right. I think my experience is lacking in that area. This is clear from what I have read in your replies. How can I get in touch with JJ up in Mille Lacs? That would be a good reason to get up there. Thanks.

The seats are a good idea, but actually, I am more concerned about damage to the boat and its fittings etc etc if the pounding is too harsh and the driver is not driving it right.

Thanks!

Actually a good question might be…what kind of boat do you have????
Some boats are much more suited for the running these guys are talking about than others.

My dad has a 16 foot lund with a 50 hp…older and if you tried getting on top…you could give yourself a concussion.

However if you are running a big heavy boat like a Ranger or Tufft….get on top and let her rip. I have found that 45 mph in 3 footers is quite smooth in my Ranger 620.

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Including you…Use your tether!

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I’ll have to find out were the wife put our leather tether

Very good point Buckshot, I was going to bring up the same thing.
You would not want to open up my aluminum floater and run it wide open. You might not have all your teeth in your head when you got done

Mine is a 17 fisherman with 115HP. What should I do then? Slow down and plow at 10mph or get on top and let er rip?

Let her Buck!!

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If your ever in the mille lacs area, stop by and see Jon Jordan. He’ll show you how to drive a boat in waves.

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Derek, Thats because he runs a Yarcraft!! The true performance characteristics of a YarCraft don’t even come out till the chop gets up to 2′!!

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If your ever in the mille lacs area, stop by and see Jon Jordan. He’ll show you how to drive a boat in waves.

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Derek, Thats because he runs a Yarcraft!! The true performance characteristics of a YarCraft don’t even come out till the chop gets up to 2′!!

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I’ll just add that on bigger water like Mille Lacs, look out for the “Rouge Wave”. It’s that 3 1/2 to 4 footer that pops up out of nowhere and spanks you! Take it easy, learn what your boat and back side can hande and don’t over do it. Always be safe.

-J.

HAVE SOMEONE SHOW YOU FIRST, BEFORE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY GET HURT . FISHINFOOL

why fight the waves, pull the plug and go UNDER them ! This requires a snorkel and periscope, or if you are quick you can catch a breath between the crests! Just joking, depending on the type of hull you have makes a big difference on how to attack waves. V hulls slice thru, flats will knock your fillings loose, best to stay home if it’s too bad.

It really depends on what size boat/motor your running.

I had a 1650 Lund rebel with a 40 merc on the back. During the sunny afternoons on the st. croix with the tuna boats out I had to really get creative with the throttle. I would basically run wide open, then back way off, then wide open again. Always hitting the waves head on. If I would hit them at a 45, the wave would basically throw the boat and I would not have control at that point. I was put into recovery mode.
Now with a bigger boat 1800 pro v with a 150 and smooth moves seats, its wide open and hit the tops. Just make sure that your net is secure and the dog is close.

Basically you have to know how your boat is going to react and your confidence level in driving it. When in doubt, throttle down. You will make it back to shore, it just may take a little longer. And wear your teather and a pfd, just in case.

Jami

All kidding aside, for safety sake, run them at a 45, at the speed you feel is most comfortable for you and your passengers.
If you can’t get the bow down with the motor trimmed all the way down, you may want to redistribute the weight of passengers and gear in the boat, or invest in either a hydrofoil on the motor, or trim tabs for the boat.

Let’s not confuse big wakes with 2-3 foot chop! YOu always need to be carefull around the tuna boats.

And I respectfully disagree on the 45 degree angle. Hard on the boat, ride will be rougher and wetter. Hit them straight on whenever possible.

-J.

Best thing to do is just play around with it and see what works for you. Maybe try bumping up the speed and getting it on plane….try to keep the bow down a little and let the boat do the work cutting the waves. You will know when you are trimming it up and have trimmed it up too far because the ride will start getting rougher…just tap the trim back down until it smooths out.

Ultimately the goal is to get you, your passengers and gear where you are going safely…if you don’t feel comfortable going faster and riding the tops….don’t…just take your time and get home safe.

Use the tether cord too. I probably don’t as much as I should but when I am alone….I ALWAYS use it.
JB

OK….Just to clear up.

Hit them straight on right? Get the bow down so that the V hits the waves rather than the flat part of the hull, right? So I should try ripping it when I am on plane? I have not done that cos I am basically plowing at <10mph when I get 2-3 footers. When I am at >10mph, I get a bit of a pounding when I crest one wave, my boat is in the air, and then I fall down. From what the earlier posters had mentioned, it seemed that a good driver would be able to improve on driving comfort. I am just trying to find out what are the concepts I should understand.

How big is your boat?

Driving in big waves isn’t the same in every boat.

A bigger boat, 19-20 ft, is going to ride better than a 16 or 17 footer.

If the waves are really big or you don’t feel comfortable going fast, or even on plane, – DON’T!

If you’re going slow, not on plane, I’d keep your bow up a little bit but still low enough to see. You don’t want to take any waves over the bow.

I usually don’t like to beat my gear, so I’ll go a little slower than some guys.

In my boat 2 footers aren’t a problem, I go as fast as I want. 3 footers I slow down. Anything bigger I usually find calmer water to fish.

I let the waves dictate how fast I go. You have to respect the waves.

2 footers are still quite big. If u can go as fast as you want on 2 footers, then u are doing something right. What is your exact technique? Do you also adjust your steering or your trim or speed with how the next wave look?

In your 17 Fish you should be able to head into 2′ waves at 30mph without any trouble. That boat at 40+ mph in 2 footers would get a little squirrely. Going with the waves you should be able to open ‘er up. That’s a fairly deep boat. Anything over 2’ I would take it easy and be safe. I don’t like hitting the waves at a 45…everyone gets wet and you spill your drink a lot more. Dogs go flying etc. No exact science to it, just learn as you go and work up to a level you’re comfortable with.

The main thing is “Arive Alive” No fish is worth sinking or even worse.

big g

In 2-foot waves you should be able to span the waves with a 17 – 18 foot boat.

Just get up on plane like you normally would and trim the motor so you get the best ride.

Don’t over analyze things. It’s something you need to do and get the feel for it.

In bigger waves where you can’t get on top and run is where you need to take it easy.

Just go out and fish some big water and you’ll get the hang of it.

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In your 17 Fish you should be able to head into 2′ waves at 30mph without any trouble. That boat at 40+ mph in 2 footers would get a little squirrely. Going with the waves you should be able to open ‘er up. That’s a fairly deep boat. Anything over 2’ I would take it easy and be safe. I don’t like hitting the waves at a 45…everyone gets wet and you spill your drink a lot more. Dogs go flying etc. No exact science to it, just learn as you go and work up to a level you’re comfortable with.

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“Dogs go flying….” hahahahaha. I like that very much. It is very funny.

But seriously, thanks for the advice. I would also think that it should be capable of handling 2 footers. It is really a deep V albeit an aluminium. So I was pretty surprised that I could not get it to go faster than my semi-V pike. Thanks for the advice. I will practice and try out more to get the hang of it. Just thought that there was some science to it tho’.

I don’t know how many times I’ve smacked into a wave or two and my dog looks at me as if to say “would you stop #%$#$ing around please”. Poor thing. Maybe I should teach her to drive? You know when you’re on the edge when the dog goes to the back of the boat, lays down and tries to put on a life jacket…probably time to slow down a little.

” The wind in the wires made a tattletale sound. And a wave broke over the railing……. ”

Looks like you will get a chance to hone your skilz this weekend.

Hey…you guys are real funny with the dog jokes. I liked them….hehehe.

I find the hardest waves to hit, are when you go with them. My bow seems to dive down and cut into the wave, and tries to plow through them. Right now i’m running a 14ft 35hp. I’ll be stepping up to a 16ft with the 35 hp soon though, so hopefully that helps.